Jill Bourne

Jill Bourne - Participant

Jill Bourne is the City Librarian in San José, California, serving a diverse community of more than one million residents. As Director of the San José Public Library, she oversees the city’s main Martin Luther King, Jr., Library, in a unique partnership with the San José State University, and 22 branch libraries. With a focus on knowledge access, public technology, and community learning, she is committed to enhancing the relevance and leveraging the value of public libraries in the communities they serve. As an advocate for youth engagement, access equity, and experimental programs, Bourne is frequently involved in national and international initiatives. As project director of an IMLS Digital Media and Learning initiative, she led the development of a digital maker center and citywide network of connected youth learning programs. She spearheaded GreenStacks, an environmental public education strategy that was honored as a “Top Innovator” by the Urban Libraries Council for its success in strengthening the public library's role in supporting sustainable communities. Currently a member of the Urban Libraries Council Executive Board and ALA Committee on Literacy, Bourne has also been acknowledged as a Library Journal “Mover & Shaker” and a mentor in the International Network of Emerging Library Innovators, a program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Prior to her work in San José, Bourne was the Deputy City Librarian in San Francisco and the Assistant Director for Public Services at the Seattle Public Library. Before libraries, she was a teaching assistant, a box-office manager, a cocktail waitress, and a guide at the Baseball Hall of Fame. A resident of San Jose, Bourne holds a BA from New York University and an MLIS from the University of Washington.